[himanshu_j]

Originally Posted by acidkill

7.The MFI display in the Indian polo is the low price option. All Polo’s abroad have a jetta like ‘Highline’ MFI display option. This cheap MFI is also one of the reasons why better music systems in the Volkswagen range like the RCD 310/510 or RNS 310/510 cannot be placed in the Indian Polo / Vento.

I didn't quite get you here. What do you mean by a cheap MFI? Isnt the MFI just a display with the information being relayed to it?
I really doubt VW would take the trouble to substitute the MFI with a "cheaper" one for the Indian Polo/ Vento!

Also, I think the IPL edition Vento is being sold with the RNS series factory-fitted.

[ritzy]

Originally Posted by himanshu_j

I didn't quite get you here. What do you mean by a cheap MFI? Isnt the MFI just a display with the information being relayed to it?
I really doubt VW would take the trouble to substitute the MFI with a "cheaper" one for the Indian Polo/ Vento!

Also, I think the IPL edition Vento is being sold with the RNS series factory-fitted.

The MFI for Indian market is cheaper one. Polo for other market has the superior white back-light MFI.

[acidkill]

It all started when I tried to find out from some sources abroad if i could import a RNS 510 and install it myself. I was told that the highline MFI display was a pre-requisite to install that system or atleast a pre-requisite to enable some features of the RNS 510. Then i browsed VW websites of other countries and found that the Polo comes with a full length white and black MFI system. That should be 'highline' display that was being spoken about.

For a low down on how the MFI displays vary

VW Multifunction display menu and options explained

[himanshu_j]

^ This is just sad. How much would it have costed VW to put the highline MFI!

[Rameshdude]

You have indeed put a very crisp and frank opinion on various issues.Congrats on your new purchase.
Still waiting for someone to talk about vento AT petrol car,and issues. (or has there been a post already?)
Yes,we have to wait and see how the *** of VW cars are going to be,the first service of many cars would be due in a few months.The service and labour costs and spare part prices.That is sure going to be the acid test of future sales of their cars.
GM has a 3 yrs warranty,and skoda have a skoda shield.

[noopster]

Congrats Acidkill. Please check if your tyres are over-inflated. That may explain the bumpiness and the poor handling. I am not an enthusiast in the sense that some people on TBHP are, but know my cars and think the Vento has the best handling in its class. The unfavourable comparison with a Dzire seemed a little strange to me.

I agree that the stock ICE is junk. Just that it looks good and goes with the overall classiness of the interiors. I am suffering with MP3 CDs that don't display track names for now. But will upgrade at the first chance!

[acidkill]

Originally Posted by oxyzen

Congratulations on your new car.


Handling is nothing like you described. I feel I handled just fine. Body roll isnt much of an issue. 185/60 stock tyres provides sufficient grip. Although with a 205/55 Michillin / Yokohoma it will be even better. Comparing handling of Vento with Dzire is just insane.

Oh no. Please its a free country. Go ahead and argue. I love heated converstations. See - after owning a Suzuki Swift, OHC, Ford Ikon etc which are very good handlers i can say that this car is sedate. I dont agree to a generalized view on the rattling point, because, The ikon never rattled even though it was a car with very stiff springs. Although i definitely agree that the Suzuki swift rattles rattles like a jamaican band. Only when it ages that is

Originally Posted by himanshu_j

^ This is just sad. How much would it have costed VW to put the highline MFI!

Few thousands. But thats not the point. I feel that they are just giving vento owners this deal because of their endeavor give 'feel good' differentials to Jetta /Passat owners. Anyway, i hope they receive some competition from the upcoming Fiesta, Verna etc. That'll automatically make them provide all the goodies to the vento customer. They have already tried schemes to increase Trendline sales with variants like IPL edition, Trendline Plus etc

Originally Posted by noopster

Congrats Acidkill. Please check if your tyres are over-inflated. That may explain the bumpiness and the poor handling. I am not an enthusiast in the sense that some people on TBHP are, but know my cars and think the Vento has the best handling in its class. The unfavourable comparison with a Dzire seemed a little strange to me.

Il have it checked, but i keep a PSI of 31. Thanks for the tip.

I am no purist-enthusiast either. Just a customer with an attitude i guess. I can only say that the Dzire is a better car as far as handling is concerned and I have driven it alot in the past. The handling of dzire may not be comparable swift because of the boot and soft rear suspension - but it retains a good amount of the swifts character. Actually,Many UK magazines rate the Swifts handling very highly, so given that, I would not call comparing the Vento and Dzire and uncharitable or unfavorable act. Please note, the vento's handling is not bad, its just that it is more for moderate driving

[oxyzen]

Originally Posted by acidkill

Oh no. Please its a free country. Go ahead and argue. I love heated converstations. See - after owning a Suzuki Swift, OHC, Ford Ikon etc which are very good handlers i can say that this car is nowhere close. I dont agree to a generalized view on the rattling point, because, The ikon never rattled even though it was a car with very stiff springs. Although i definitely agree that the Suzuki swift definitely rattles like a jamaican band.

Very few people argue about the -ves of their car. And you are definately not one of them.

Anyway coming to the handling part, what makes a car a good handler?
1) The tyres. They should have enough grip. Lower the profile better the handling. Well you can always upgrade.
2) Suspension. Swift's suspension is super hard. But that does not make it the best handler. I personally feel Figo & Punto handle better than Swift which is at par with Polo and Fabia. I think Swift is taller than Figo and Polo and the high CG will definitely play spoilsport with the handling. High speed composure of Swift is nowhere in the league of Figo or Punto.
Lesser said about Dzire the better. I have been in a Dzire at 140 and trust me the swinging rear in less than perfect roads make it a little upset.
Regarding Ikon I have nothing to say. It is definitely the best. In fact a shade better than I Fiesta I might add.
OHC- Nope. It aint pretty. It has a gem of an engine but Handling is not its strong point.
3) Brakes. I hate the brakes of Ikon. Swift is pretty good though.

So If I were to rate these cars
Ikon>Vento>Swift>OHC(Not driven extensively)>Dzire

And one more thing. I have driven Zen extensively and I Feel It handles even better than Swift. It is because I get comfortable with the car I always drive. May be 2-3 months down the line you dill change your opinion. You know what i mean?

[nileshch]

Originally Posted by oxyzen

I have driven Zen extensively and I Feel It handles even better than Swift.

Spot on! It's such supreme confidence I get when driving the old Zen even at 120, as opposed to the Swift. The low CG makes it very stable.

Originally Posted by oxyzen

I personally feel Figo & Punto handle better than Swift which is at par with Polo and Fabia.

I agree, Punto really has probably the best handling in its class. But I do think Polo is better than Swift when you throw it around at high speeds. Somehow I've never liked Swift, even though I've been a Maruti fan all these years.

IMO, in sedans, Vento wins over the City thoroughly. Not driven anything else so don't know about the other cars.

[adimicra]

Congrats man..you are really putting the Vento on an acid test by speaking openly about the negatives according to you

I have similar observation as yours, which I had mentioned in the Vento test drive thread.
Vento's handling capability is highly exaggerated I feel because of the German/VW pedigree.
I don't think it is as bad as DZire though, but it is no way near to the Fiesta/Linea.
The steering is lifeless and even an ANHC has a much better steering.
The suspension on the Vento is very much on the softer side and does not inpsire confidence for spirited during at higher speeds. Ditto for ANHC.
The ANHC is not a great handler but neither is the Vento. My 2 cents!

[Reinhard]

Hey Acid,

Congrats on the car and wish you unlimited safe and happy miles with her. Really loved your review there. Nice details, honest remarks. Not once have you praised your car just for the sake of it. Really admire that.
The 1.6TDI is really a gem of an engine. I hope some day, VW will wake up and put it under the hood of the Polo. Problem is, they are selling the current Polo 1.2 TDI so high priced, that a 1.6 will probably cost more than Space Shuttle Discovery.

Again, great post, great details. Do keep it regularly updated with your experiences as an owner, like service et al.

Thanks and happy driving!

[noopster]

Originally Posted by Rameshdude

Still waiting for someone to talk about vento AT petrol car,and issues. (or has there been a post already?)

Please check my ownership thread- also jesal's. Both of us have AT Ventos and reasonably detailed ownership reviews.
You may PM me for anything specific.

@Acidkill: 31 PSI sounds good. I have kept it at 32 (out of showroom it was 30) and in summer am planning to keep it a little lower, maybe 30 or 31.

@ritzy- damn that white MID looks sexy. I love the white display and the curved fonts on the Laura. Red is easy to get used to, but you only realise what you're missing when you see it!

[avisidhu]

Thats a nicely detailed and very objective review AcidKill.
Having bought an ANHC, I happen to have the opposite view and feel bad for not buying a Vento I liked the torque of a Diesel plus better quality interiors of Vento over the ANHC, IMO.

Originally Posted by acidkill

Verdict:
1.Would I recommend you to buy it: yes
2.Should you buy it if you are an enthusiast: No. Just stick to the petrol ANHC

I'm intrigued by your statement above. Which are the specific factors that make you think that the ANHC is a better buy?

[acidkill]

Originally Posted by himanshu_j

I didn't quite get you here. What do you mean by a cheap MFI? Isnt the MFI just a display with the information being relayed to it?
I really doubt VW would take the trouble to substitute the MFI with a "cheaper" one for the Indian Polo/ Vento!

Also, I think the IPL edition Vento is being sold with the RNS series factory-fitted.

If RNS/RCD 510 is being factory fitted by VW, then it is good news for all of us. I apologize for the wrong info about the MFI being a pre requisite in the review. I was misled to think that way by some suppliers i corresponded with. I really wish i could buy the RNS/RCD 510 off the shelf and fit it for a reasonable price.

Originally Posted by avisidhu

Thats a nicely detailed and very objective review AcidKill.
Having bought an ANHC, I happen to have the opposite view and feel bad for not buying a Vento I liked the torque of a Diesel plus better quality interiors of Vento over the ANHC, IMO.

I'm intrigued by your statement above. Which are the specific factors that make you think that the ANHC is a better buy?

Not much disssection to do here. Just saying that although the Vento Diesel has epic performance and can a bring a smile on your face in a flash, I still think that generically, a petrol engined car is a better one to buy for performance. Specialists and others may differ from what i am saying and i respect their views.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Initial Ownership Section. Thanks for sharing!